| Consumers have been given certain rights by law. Virginia
law provides that if an insurance company refuses to issue an
auto policy to you, the company must tell you the reasons why.
However, you may have to ask for these reasons. If you are refused
insurance, ask for the reasons why. It may be that the insurance
company's decision to deny you insurance was based on incorrect
information. You will then have the right to obtain a copy of
the company's file concerning you. If the file contains information
that is wrong, you will be allowed to correct this information.
Virginia law prohibits an insurance company from refusing to
issue an automobile policy solely for the following reasons:
- because you have been refused auto insurance by another
company;
- because you once purchased insurance through the assigned
risk plan; or
- because of your age, sex, residence, race, color, creed,
national origin, ancestry, marital status or lawful occupation
(including military service).
If you are refused auto insurance for one of the reasons listed
above and no other reason, the action taken by the insurance
company is illegal.
Also, after your policy has been in effect for 60 days or more,
the insurance company may not cancel your policy for the remainder
of the policy term unless:
- you fail to pay the premium;
- your driver's license is revoked or suspended;
- an operator in your household or anyone who customarily
operates your auto has had their license revoked or suspended;
or
- your legal residence has been changed to another state
and your automobile will be garaged in the new state of residence.
In addition, an insurance company that intends to cancel or
non-renew your policy must give you 45 days notice in writing
stating the termination date and the reason for termination.
The notice must also tell you that you have a legal right to
appeal to the Insurance Commissioner and obtain insurance through
the Virginia Automobile Insurance Plan.
An insurance company may not non-renew your auto policy solely
for the following reasons:
- age, sex, residence, race, color, creed, national origin,
ancestry, marital status or lawful occupation (including military
service);
- lack of driving experience or number of years of driving
experience;
- lack of supporting business (such as a homeowners policy);
- one or more accidents or violations that occurred more than
48 months before your policy's upcoming anniversary date;
- one or more uninsured/underinsured motorist claims where
the uninsured/underinsured motorist is known or there is physical
evidence of contact;
- a single not-at-fault claim filed under your medical expense
benefits coverage;
- one or more claims filed under the comprehensive coverage
or towing coverage of your policy; or
- two or fewer accidents within three years unless the accident
was wholly or partially the fault of the named insured, a
resident of the same household, or other customary operator.
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